Rodney Williams led his team, Robinsdale Cooper with 21 points tonight, but it was not enough to beat Benilde St. Margaret and their stand-out players Armond Battle and Jordan Taylor, the final score was 58-83. This was a pretty average night for Williams, as he is averaging 22.1 points per game, along with 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, and 2.3 assists per game.

It’s no secret that the Gophers have set their sights on Rodney Williams, and De La Salle junior, Royce White. Both are outstanding players, not only highly regarded in Minnesota, but on the national scene. I was able to catch up with Rodney after the game, I literally had to wait in line to talk to him, as he mobbed by adoring fans. He was very gracious as kids asked for his autographs, photos, and just wanted to meet the rising star. I was able to speak with both Rodney and his father, Rodney Williams Sr. about his level of interest in the University of Minnesota, rumors about transferring to a prep school, and what he’s looking for in a college.

GH: What areas or your game on you working on the most?
RW: Defense and my shooting.

GH: What are the biggest factors when you’re deciding on a college?
RW: Academics, and if I can play right away.

GH: What has Coach Tubby Smith told you about playing time?
RW: He hasn’t really talked a lot about but, but he said if I came, I’d probably play right away.

GH: Which one of the Gopher coaches has had the most contact with you?
RW: Coach (Ron) Jirsa probably, he calls me the most. But, Coach Vince (Taylor) , he’s the one who comes to my games the most. They’re nice guys, they’re just nice people, they’re always really positive about things.

GH: Where do you currently have offers from?
RW: The U, Wisconsin said they’d offer me later this summer, Miami, Iowa, Iowa State, that’s really about it.

GH: What school do you have the strongest interest in?
RW: Nobody right now, it’s all the same right now.

GH: I actually heard that you liked Miami, Wisconsin and Minnesota the best.
RW: Those are the schools that are recruiting me the hardest.

GH: What do you like best about Wisconsin?
RW: They’ve got a nice atmosphere at the Kohl Center.

GH: So you’ve been able to attend a game in Madison?
RW: I’ve been to two games there.

GH: Where else have you been to games at?
RW: Iowa St., and the U.

GH: What do you think the biggest differences are between Bo Ryan and Tubby Smith?
RW: I think Tubby likes to get up and down a lot more, and I think Bo Ryan likes to play more in a half court set.

GH: You’re friends with both Jordan Taylor and Royce White, can you comment on your relationships with them?
RW: I’ve been playing basketball with Royce since the 4th grade. We have a good relationship. Jordan and Armond, this was my first year playing with them, but I’ve known them since I was in the 4th grade also. I have a strong relationship with them too.

GH: Do you and Royce ever talk about choosing the same college?
RW: Every once in a while.

GH: Is having the opportunity to play with Royce a factor in your decision making?
RW: No, not really.

GH: You had a head coaching change at Robbinsdale Cooper 2 weeks ago, how has this affected you?
RW: Not as much as I thought it would.

GH: Do you have a different system now, what has changed?
RW: No, it’s pretty much the same, we just don’t run as much.

GH: Can you confirm or deny the rumors about you transferring to Oak Hill or another prep school?
RW: Those are just rumors. I’m going to stay.

GH: Have you had any official visits aside from the U?
RW: No, no official visits.

GH: When do you plan on taking some?
RW: This summer, most likely.

Rodney’s father, Rodney Williams Sr., was able to offer me a little more insight into the recruiting process, and what factors they are looking at.

GH: What schools is your son looking at?
RWSr.: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. There’s a lot of other schools, I can’t even name them all. Those are his top three.

GH: What does he like the best about Iowa?
RWSr.: It’s close to home.

GH: Is that what you like the best about it as well?
RWSr.: Yes.

GH: What are the things you’re most impressed with at Minnesota?
RWSr.: Tubby. The future of the Gophers, him being home, we’ve also been to a lot of games and we really like the atmosphere at The Barn. I think he grow a lot here, and learn to be a better ball player and learn how to handle himself a little more staying home and playing for Tubby.

GH: What has Tubby told you as far as playing time, and the Gophers interest in Rodney?
RWSr.: He’ll be playing right away. Tubby likes his game a lot, especially his athletic ability. He needs to grow a little bit mentally and mature a little bit, but his game is going to get better with age.

GH: What do you like the best about Bo Ryan and Wisconsin?
RWSr.: I like that he’s a winning coach. He’s got his guys playing serious and good. I really haven’t seen too many Wisconsin games. I can tell that he’s a really serious coach and he likes to win, and knows how to recruit. I haven’t seen a bad team that he’s coached.

GH: What system do you think he’ll fit better into? Tubby coaches a more up-tempo, fast game, and Bo Ryan has a very disciplined and specific system that he runs.
RWSr.: I think he’ll fit better with Minnesota because he needs to run more, when he’s in a set offense, he doesn’t move enough and isn’t aggressive enough. When he’s running and being real aggressive, that’s when you can see his athletic ability.

Previous article: Royce White Article

Talk about Basketball Recruiting and other college basketball topics on our Gopher Basketball message board.